The value of toxicological analysis in acute poisoning patients with uncertain exposure histories:a retrospective and descriptive study from an institute of poisoning

BACKGROUND:In clinical practice,some patients might not be able or unwilling to provide a thorough history of medication and poison exposure.The aim of this study was to use toxicological analysis to examine the clinical characteristics of patients with acute poisoning whose exposure history was uncertain from a toxicological analysis perspective.METHODS:This was a retrospective and descriptive study from an institute of poisoning.Patient registration information and test reports spanning the period from April 1,2020 to March 31,2022,were obtained.Patients with uncertain exposure histories and who underwent toxicological analysis were included.Clinical manifestations and categories of toxics were analyzed.RESULTS:Among the 195 patients with positive toxicological analysis results,the main causes of uncertain exposure history was disturbance of consciousness(62.6%),unawareness(23.6%)and unwillingness or lack of cooperation(13.8%).The predominant clinical manifestations were disturbed consciousness(62.6%),followed by vomiting and nausea(14.4%)and liver function abnormalities(8.7%).A comparison of clinical manifestations between patients with positive and negative(n=99)toxicological analyses results revealed significantly different proportions of disturbances in consciousness(63%vs.21%),dizziness(1.5%vs.5.1%),multi-organ failure(1.5%vs.7.1%),and local pain(0 vs 4%).The main categories of substances involved were psychiatric medications(23.1%),sedatives(20.5%),insecticides(13.8%),and herbicides(12.8%).CONCLUSION:The clinical manifestations of acute poisoning in patients with an uncertain exposure history are diverse and nonspecific,and toxicological analysis plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of such patients.

中国城市PM_(2.5)污染暴露不平等及其驱动因素——基于Theil指数和LMDI分解

聚焦大气污染物PM_(2.5),对2015~2021年污染物浓度进行人口规模赋权,构建中国城市PM_(2.5)污染暴露水平指标,基于GINI系数和Theil指数测度污染暴露不平等,并按城市行政层级、省份进行差异分解;基于对数平均迪氏指数分解法(LMDI),分别对污染暴露水平、不平等程度进行驱动因素分解,探究其变化背后的社会经济因素.结果表明:中国城市PM_(2.5)污染暴露不平等总体温和,GINI系数保持在0.2以内且呈递减趋势.不同行政级别城市间未表现出污染暴露不平等,而省际差异对污染暴露不平等的贡献达68.4%;总体上能源的污染暴露乘数、政府绿色支出能耗强度是PM_(2.5)污染暴露水平的主要抑制因素,对污染暴露水平的驱动贡献超过60%.政府支出结构、支出规模、经济发展和人口因素对PM_(2.5)污染暴露起促增作用,但各因素在不同层级的城市间具有异质性;能源的污染暴露乘数、绿色支出能耗强度对不平等的动态抑制作用弱化,主要依靠能源绿色化的治污策略面临挑战.据此提出更好发挥政府作用,持续降低中国PM_(2.5)污染暴露水平,实现环境公共服务更加均等化的政策启示.

Association between Exposure of Rare Earth Elements and Outcomes of In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer in Beijing

Objective The study aimed to investigate the impact of rare earth elements(REEs)exposure on pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET)by analyzing samples from spouses.Methods A total of 141 couples were included.Blood and follicular fluid from the wives and semen plasma from the husbands,were analyzed for REEs using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS).Spearman's correlation coefficients and the Mann–Whitney U test were used to assess correlations and compare REE concentrations among three types of samples,respectively.Logistic models were utilized to estimate the individual REE effect on IVF-ET outcomes,while BKMR and WQS models explored the mixture of REE interaction effects on IVF-ET outcomes.Results Higher La concentration in semen(median 0.089 ng/mL,P=0.03)was associated with a lower fertilization rate.However,this effect was not observed after artificial selection intervention through intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)(P=0.27).In semen,the REEs mixture did not exhibit any significant association with clinical pregnancy.Conclusion Our study revealed a potential association between high La exposure in semen and a decline in fertilization rate,but not clinical pregnancy rate.This is the first to report REEs concentrations in follicular fluid with La,Ce,Pr,and Nd found at significantly lower concentrations than in serum,suggesting that these four REEs may not accumulate in the female reproductive system.However,at the current exposure levels,mixed REEs exposure did not exhibit reproductive toxicity.

Prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis Infection [LTBI] in Prison Officers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the LTBI prevalence in prison officers worldwide. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, WoS, Embase, and BVS, including all articles related to LTBI prevalence and risk factors. After critical evaluation and qualitative synthesis of the identified articles, a meta-analysis was used. Five studies carried out between 2012 and 2022 were included, with a total sample size of 1718 prison officers. The overall LTBI prevalence was 50% [95% confidence interval [CI]: 48% - 52%;n = 816], with high heterogeneity between studies. Smoking [OR = 1.76;CI 95% = 1.26 - 2.46] and males [OR = 2.08;CI 95% = 1.31 - 3.31] were positively related to a higher LTBI prevalence among prison officers. Thus, preventive measures and the rapid and accurate diagnosis of new cases should be emphasized to ensure tuberculosis control, especially among risk groups such as prison officers.

A wavelet approach of investing behaviors and their effects on risk exposures

Exposure to market risk is a core objective of the Capital Asset Pricing Model(CAPM)with a focus on systematic risk.However,traditional OLS Beta model estimations(Ordinary Least Squares)are plagued with several statistical issues.Moreover,the CAPM considers only one source of risk and supposes that investors only engage in similar behaviors.In order to analyze short and long exposures to different sources of risk,we developed a Time–Frequency Multi-Betas Model with ARMA-EGARCH errors(Auto Regressive Moving Average Exponential AutoRegressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity).Our model considers gold,oil,and Fama–French factors as supplementary sources of risk and wavelets decompositions.We used 30 French stocks listed on the CAC40(Cotations Assistées Continues 40)within a daily period from 2005 to 2015.The conjugation of the wavelet decompositions and the parameters estimates constitutes decision-making support for managers by multiplying the interpretive possibilities.In the short-run,(“Noise Trader”and“High-Frequency Trader”)only a few equities are insensitive to Oil and Gold fluctuations,and the estimated Market Betas parameters are scant different compared to the Model without wavelets.Oppositely,in the long-run,(fundamentalists investors),Oil and Gold affect all stocks but their impact varies according to the Beta(sensitivity to the market).We also observed significant differences between parameters estimated with and without wavelets.

Assessment of the Direct Sun-Light on Rural Road Network through Solar Radiation Analysis Using GIS

The movement of vehicles on the roads, during summer, can sometimes hide risks involved in direct sunlight. In places where the relief is complicated, road network usually consists of a road complexity. This complexity in conjunction with the motion of a vehicle on a road and the position of the sun at the same time may result in the loss of vision in some sections of the road. This paper describes a GIS-based methodology of the spatiotemporal analysis of this phenomenon. Thus, for a given study area, in this case ofMilos Island,Greece, the geometry of the road network, the terrain morphology and the solar radiation (in specific time intervals during summer) have been analyzed. The result of this procedure is a map illustrating the sections of the road where direct sunlight includes a serious amount of risk for the drivers. Applying this methodology for long periods of time may lead to prevention policies adoption related to accidents of direct exposure to sunlight. Moreover, this methodology could be an additional module in car navigation systems.

The Development Strategy Based on 4Ps Theory of Continuing Education in Universities

From the perspective of marketing theory and the premise of SWOT theory analysis,this paper puts forward the basic strategies of developing continuing education based on 4Ps theory in universities.Combined with the educational products in the field of management and public administration in the market economy,this paper analyzes the strengths,weaknesses,opportunities and threats in the development of continuing education in universities.From the four aspects of product,price,place and promotion,we summarize the concrete measure which may provide the reference to develop continuing education.

基于PS-InSAR的小浪底土石坝形变监测与稳定性模拟

探索土石坝形变规律及稳定性分析是全球水利工程所关注的一个重大问题,对保障人民群众生命安全和经济健康发展具有重大意义。采用2017年3月至2021年9月小浪底土石坝55景Sentinel-1A卫星SAR影像,利用PS-InSAR技术,监测到小浪底土石坝近5年从坝顶至坝底呈现“阶梯状”形变趋势,最大形变量达到-86.09 mm;并结合库水位、降雨量等因素,发现坝体整体呈现“夏急冬缓”的季节性形变趋势。进一步采用二维有限元方法,对小浪底土石坝的模拟模型进行渗流、应力分析。在高库水位情况下,相较于低水位情况,坝体渗流量更大、形变速率更大;在应力分析部分,发现坝体的垂直向形变趋势与InSAR监测结果相吻合,亦呈现“阶梯状”形变。研究成果不仅为小浪底土石坝运行稳定性分析及形变历史回溯提供理论基础和决策依据,也说明PS-InSAR技术与二维有限元模型模拟技术在水利工程监测方面具有巨大的应用潜力。

Hydrogeochemical and Multivariate Statistical Techniques to Trace the Sources of Ground Water Contaminants and Affecting Factors of Groundwater Pollution in an Oil and Gas Producing Wetland in Rivers State, Nigeria

Background: Groundwater is an important source of drinking water for the indigenous communities of Ebocha-Obrikom. Access to safe drinking water, in particular, is critical to one’s health and, by extension, one’s income and well-being. Underground wells are the primary supply of drinking water in the Niger Delta, and the groundwater is not always treated before consumption. As a result, water continues to be a vital environmental component that affects both humans and other life forms. Objectives: The aims of the research are to trace the sources and affecting factors of groundwater pollution via statistical and multivariate statistical techniques. Method: The investigation made use of standard analytical procedures. All sampling, conservation, transportation and analysis followed standard procedures described in APHA (2012). To prevent degradation of the organic substances, all obtained samples were transferred to the laboratory, while kept in an icebox. Results: The study reveals that the greater the number of principal components extracted the greater variation in geochemical composition of the ground waters. It indicated that 34 parameters were distributed into six (6) and nine (9) principal components (PCs) extracted for groundwater samples for both rainy and dry seasons, potentially suggesting the input of different pollutants from different sources. Gas flaring, mineral dissolution/precipitation and anthropogenic input are the main sources of the physicochemical indices and trace elements in the groundwater. Groundwater chemistry is predominantly regulated by natural processes such as dissolution of carbonates, silicates, and evaporates and soil leaching, followed by human activities. Climatic factors and land use types are also important in affecting groundwater chemistry. Conclusion: Greater efforts should be made to safeguard groundwater, which is hampered by geogenic and anthropogenic activities, in order to achieve sustainable groundwater development. As a result, communities are recommended to maintain a groundwater management policy to ensure long-term sustainability. The study is useful for understanding groundwater trace sources in Rivers State’s Ebocha-Obrikom districts. Such understanding would enable informed mitigation or eradication of the possible detri-mental health consequences of this groundwater, whether through its use as drinking water or indirectly through consumption of groundwater-irrigated crops. As a result, determining its primary probable source of pollution (MPSP) is critical since it provides a clearer and more immediate interpretation. Furthermore, the research findings can be used as a reference for groundwater pollution prevention and water resource protection in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Mediating Role of Glucose-Lipid Metabolism in the Association between the Increased Risk of Coronary Heart Disease and Exposure to Organophosphate Esters,Phthalates,and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

There is a lack of human evidence concerning the cardiovascular effects of combined exposure to endocrine disruptors.This case-control study sought to investigate coronary heart disease(CHD)associations with exposure to organophosphate flame retardants(OFRs),phthalates(PAEs),and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)among 148 adults with coronary-angiography-diagnosed CHD and 320 healthy adults from southern China.The mediating role of glucose-lipid metabolism was also explored.Bayesian kernel machine regression suggested that when exposure status was fixed to the 75th percentile with the median value as the reference,exposure to OFRs,PAEs,and PAHs was associated with an 84%(95%CI:36%−134%),132%(12%−252%),and 214%(89%−331%)increased risk of developing CHD,respectively.Weighted quantile sum regression indicated urinary bis(2-butoxyethyl)phosphate(BBOEP),dibutyl phosphate(DBP),monoisononyl phthalate(miNP),and metabolites of phenanthrene may be major contributors to the overall effect of mixtures.In further analyses on identified chemical risk factors,mediation analyses suggested exposure to phenanthrene may increase the risk of CHD via elevating total cholesterol and blood glucose,while exposure to DiNP mainly associates with serum lipids.Besides,we observed a slight mediation effect of oxidative DNA damage between urinary BBOEP and risk of CHD.These results provide potential direction for further experimental studies.Longitudinal evidence is needed to clarify the causation of the results.

Spatial Differentiation of Small Holder Farmers’ Vulnerability to Climate Change in the Kyoga Plains of Uganda

The paper assessed the variation in the level of vulnerability to climate change among small holder farmers in the Kyoga plains of Uganda. It was hypothesized that there is no spatial variation in the level of vulnerability to climate change among the small holder farmers of different socioeconomic characteristics in the Kyoga plains. It improves the understanding of the different dimensions of vulnerability. This can help to design practical policies and intervention strategies that are specific to the communities’ spatial strata to reduce development imbalances and empower the most vulnerable small holder farmers. The conceptual framework is based on the three elements of vulnerability that is, exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity. The cross-sectional survey research design was used to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. Household data were acquired by using a structured questionnaire supported by focussed group discussions while meteorological data were collected using data base review. The study was done in the Kyoga plains agro ecological zone of Uganda comprising of several districts out of which Tororo and Pallisa were picked. Indicators for the components of vulnerability (Exposure, Sensitivity and Adaptive Capacity) were selected by Principle Component Analysis (PCA) and Vulnerability Indices constructed at household level then aggregated at sub county level for correlation using ANOVA. Inter sub county vulnerability index correlation revealed a spatial variation in the level of vulnerability between the different sub counties with Kasodo Sub County in Pallisa being the most vulnerable and Rubongi in Tororo being the least vulnerable. Policy measures and development efforts should therefore focus on place specific strategies of adapting to climate change rather nationwide or region wide strategies. There is also need to refocus policy to nonfarm activities which are less susceptible to climate change and enhance farmers’ income.

Subject Area Risk Assessment of Four Hungarian Universities with a View to the QS University Rankings by Subject

Purpose:The aim of our paper is to investigate the role of a mentor leading a research team in the overall scientific performance of an academic institution and the possible risks of their departure with a special attention to their publication output.Design/methodology/approach:By using SciVal subject area data,we composed a formula describing the level of vulnerability of any given university in the case of losing any of its leading mentors,identifying other risk factors by dividing their careers into separate stages.Findings:It turns out that the higher field-weighed citation impact is,the better position universities reach in the rankings by subject and the vulnerability of institutions highly depends on the mentors,especially in view of their contribution to the topic clusters.Research limitations:The analysis covers the publication output of leading researchers working at four Hungarian universities,the scope of the analysis is worth being extended.Practical implications:Our analysis has the potential to give an applicable systemic approach as well as a data collection scheme to university managements so as to formulate an inclusive and comprehensive research strategy involving the introduction of a reward system aimed at publications and further encouraging national and international research cooperation.Originality/value:The methodology and the principles of risk assessment laid down in our paper are not restricted to measuring the vulnerability level of a limited group of academic institutions,they can be appropriately used for investigating the role of mentors or leading researchers at every university across the globe.

基于PS-InSAR的广西北部湾沿岸形变探测及成因分析

受强降雨等极端天气影响,广西地区沉降地质灾害频发。为保障区域可持续发展,利用36景Sentient-1A卫星影像,探究广西北部湾沿岸地区土地形变情况并分析其成因。首先基于PS-InSAR技术和SBAS-InSAR技术,获取2018年1月~2020年12月广西北部湾地区地表沉降信息。结果表明:两种方法具有高度一致性,研究区域最大累计沉降量达-78.1 mm,最大平均形变速率为-22.664 mm/a。其次结合降雨量数据与人类活动强度,分析地表形变成因,结果进一步表明:广西北部湾地区累计沉降量与人类活动强度呈现正相关;每年7、8月雨季时,地表形变速率提高,雨季结束后,部分地面出现抬升。人类活动与降雨是导致广西北部湾地区大面积不规则沉降的重要原因。

The short and long-term effect of polystyrene nanoplastics on nitrifying sludge at high nitrite concentrations

The effect of nanoplastics(NPs)on nitrite oxidation bacteria(NOB)community in treating high-strength wastewater remains unclear,which seriously affects the stability of nitrogen removal process.In this study,highly active nitrifying sludge was enriched and exposed to 50nm polystyrene NPs(PS-NPs)for short-term(1,100,500,and 1000 mg/L,1.5 hr)and long-term(1,10,100 mg/L,40 days)at high nitrite concentration.In contrast to previous studies,our results showed that the exposures to PS-NPs had little effect on nitrifying performances.After long-term exposure,the protein/polysaccharide ratios in extracellular polymeric substances(EPS)were positively correlated with PS-NPs concentrations(0.78–0.99).The produced reactive oxygen species(ROS)were gradually removed,and PS-NPs higher than 10 mg/L caused damage to membrane integrity.Long-term exposure for 40 days increased the community diversity and caused significant differences between the control and exposed communities.The control group were dominated by Nitrobacter and Exiguobacterium,while the exposure group was dominated by Bacillus,Mycobacterium,and Nitrospira.A noticeable shift in the NOB community from Nitrobacter(26.5%to 3.4%)to Nitrospira(1.61%to 14.27%)was observed.A KEGG analysis indicated a decrease in cell growth and death,cell motility and energy metabolism.It appeared that NOB could adapt to PS-NPs stress through enhanced secretion and removal of oxidative damage.Overall,this study provided new insights into the response mechanism of NOB to PS-NPs exposure.

Occupational exposures and colorectal cancers:A quantitative overview of epidemiological evidence

A traditional belief widespread across the biomedical community was that dietary habits and genetic predisposition were the basic factors causing colorectal cancer.In more recent times,however,a growing evidence has shown that other determinants can be very important in increasing(or reducing) incidence of this malignancy.The hypothesis that environmental and occupational risk factors are associated with colorectal cancer is gaining ground,and high risks of colorectal cancer have been reported among workers in some industrial branches.The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiologic relationship between colorectal cancer and occupational exposures to several industrial activities,by means of a scientific literature review and meta-analysis.This work pointed out increased risks of colorectal cancer for labourers occupied in industries with a wide use of chemical compounds,such as leather(RR = 1.70,95%CI:1.24-2.34),basic metals(RR = 1.32,95%CI:1.07-1.65),plastic and rubber manufacturing(RR = 1.30,95%CI:0.98-1.71 and RR = 1.27,95%CI:0.92-1.76,respectively),besides workers in the sector of repair and installation of machinery exposed to asbestos(RR = 1.40,95%CI:1.07-1.84).Based on our results,the estimated crude excess risk fraction attributable to occupational exposure ranged from about 11% to about 15%.However,homogeneous pattern of association between colorectal cancer and industrial branches did not emerge from this review.

Establishment of Exposure-response Functions of Air Particulate Matter and Adverse Health Outcomes in China and Worldwide

Objective To obtain the exposure-response functions that could be used in health-based risk assessment of particulate air pollution in China. Methods Meta analysis was conducted on the literatures on air particulate matter and its adverse health outcomes in China and worldwide. Results For each health outcome from morbidity to mortality changes, the relative risks were estimated when the concentration of air particulate matter increased to some certain units. Conclusion The exposure-response functions recommended here can be further applied to health risk assessment of air particulate matter in China.

基于PS-InSAR与SBAS-InSAR的地面沉降监测分析——以长江南京段沿江区域为例

为了全面掌握长江岸线区域的地面沉降情况,为维护长江防洪安全以及河势稳定提供参考依据,以长江南京段沿岸5 km缓冲区域为研究区域,采用PS-InSAR和SBAS-InSAR两种时序分析技术对2017年4月至2021年4月期间30景Sentinel-1A影像进行处理与分析比较,并分析了造成沉降的原因。结果表明:两种方法所得的特征点的形变曲线变化趋势一致,通过对沉降点的年平均地表形变速率进行线性拟合以及对其差值进行正态分布分析,验证了两种方法所得结果具有一致性和可靠性;两种方法所得沉降区域分布情况大致吻合,该区域有5个沉降漏斗,分别位于浦口区的长江沿岸区域、雨花台区东北部与建邺区西南部的交界处、建邺区东北部与鼓楼区西南部交界区域、八卦洲区域以及六合区张营水库区域;地质构造、城市改造建设及承压水头下降均对该区域地面沉降产生一定的影响。

DYNAMICS OF PRECIPITATION AND TRANSFORMATION OF CARBIDES IN A Ni-BASE SUPERALLOY

The quantitative analytical method combining the electrolytic extraction with X-ray diffraction analysis to determine the carbides and TCP in a Ni-base superalloy was developed.The variation of decomposition of MC and precipitation of M_(23)C_6 and M_6C with hot exposure time at 850—1000℃ is shown to conform to hyperbolic law.The elemental con- stitution of M_(23)C_6 changes continutously during the hot exposure process.At the primary stage the constitution of the precipitates is(Cr_(0.67)Mo_(0.13)Ni_(0.13)Co_(0.07))_(23)C_6.Then with in- creasing Cr and decreasing Mo,Ni and Co it finally becomes(Cr_(0.88)Mo_(0.07)Ni_(0.03)Co_(0.02))_(23)C_6. The higher the hot exposure temperature,the faster the final constitution of M_(23)C_6 may be achieved.

A computer-based image analysis for tear ferning featuring

The present work focuses on the development of a novel computer-based approach for tear ferning(TF)featuring.The original TF images of the recently developedfive-point grading scale have been used to assign a grade for any TF image automatically.A vector characteristic(VC)representing each grade was built using the reference images.A weighted combination between features selected from textures analysis using gray level co-occurrence matrix(GLCM),power spectrum(PS)analysis and linear specificity of the image were used to build the VC of each grade.A total of 14 features from texture analysis were used.PS at di®erent frequency points and number of line segments in each image were also used.Five features from GLCM have shown significant di®erences between the recently developed grading scale images which are:angular second moment at 0
and 45
,contrast,and correlation at 0
and 45
;thesefive features were all included in the characteristic vector.Three specific power frequencies were used in the VC because of the discrimination power.Number of line segments was also chosen because of dissimilarities between images.A VC for each grade of TF reference images was constructed and was found to be significantly different from each other's.This is a basic and fundamental step toward an automatic grading for computer-based diagnosis for dry eye.

基于PS-InSAR技术地质灾害遥感监测分析——以南通市崇川区为例

以南通市崇川区2020年的SAR影像为数据源,利用永久散射体雷达差分干涉测量(PS-InSAR)技术对南通崇川区的地面沉降进行时序分析研究。结果显示,基于时间序列的分析表明,崇川区存在多个沉降漏斗区,其中东南部区域下降趋势明显,沉降速率较高,最大沉降速率约33.24 mm/a。分析崇川区沉降原因,可以为南通市崇川区地质灾害防治提供理论参考。